Interview with 820 Naval Air Squadron personnel about Crowsnest

[@AlexBrown23192]

The Royal Navy Merlin HM2 Anti-Submarine Warefare Helicopter is truly a wonderful aircraft. These Merlin HM2 Helicopters are truly brilliant examples of what the Royal Navy is all about. Detecting enemy aircraft with the radar and also to detect submarines and enemy ships. These helicopters have proven it's worth within the Royal Navy and they're truly great aircraft and allow the Royal Navy to have such a great capability in protecting future Carrier Strike Group Operations along with the F35B Lightning IIs.💪🇬🇧

[@josephlezano7691]

Nice video about the Merlin Helicopter Crowsnest , and modifications . Very well explained by the two Royal Navy personnel . They are Fine good looking Helicopters . With Best Wishes. British Gibraltar , UK Overseas Territory 🇬🇧.

[@5taunch]

Good to have you with us 🇬🇧

[@josephlezano7691]

@@5taunch Thank you . It's a real pleasure 🇬🇧.

[@robhartley3930]

Good to see th AEO understands that the bag will be pressured on initial power up, not once the dome transitions to the horizontal!

[@romeo9017]

Watch and learn Harry! Fond memories of 845 at Split....

[@CharlesHedges-v2u]

A more manoeuvreable and agile asset than a full blown aircraft. Can be disposed between other accompanying vessels giving greater flexibility. Eliminates the constant demand for oleo legs that result from hard carrier landings by fixed wing air craft. I believe it has a five hour endurance at a 1,000 mile range - not bad. Three people on the payroll instead of the Hawkeye's five (5 -6). Spares and maintenance are common to other helicopters on board - Hawkeye is an expensive beast to maintain. A damaged carrier without catapults loses out to a carrier that can still function despite battle damage.

[@charlestellis7021]

Very interesting!

[@garwhittaker3743]

I'd love to see the set up inside with all the screens . Anyone ?

[@jamesdugher763]

How does this compare with something like the e2 Hawkeye?

[@chrisknight6884]

Shorter range as it is limited in height (unpressurised and no oxygen), however the technology is similar vintage and tbe running costs are a fraction of the Hawkeye's. The Searchwater is a very fine radar although it is a generation behind and still with a mechanical rotation system. For the role, it is ideal.

[@robinmyman]

Two and a half rings...an observer? Is an Admiral flying it! 😈

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Cheeky 👨‍✈️ (there’s no Admiral emoji! What’s the World coming to...)

[@paulhellawell5920]

He starts every sentence with SO

[@GordonjSmith1]

Proud of our guys! However let us think about this for a moment, why not use an autonomous (helicopter) drone to fly on station above the group to provide the same radar feedback to the group?? Why risk 3 personnel on an 'enemy target' when they could be based 'almost anywhere else' analysing the data, and still serving their role. Even if you don't believe in 'autonomous drones' the same role could be delivered from a tethered balloon with a 'radar package'! (Although not to the same height I admit). Not sure that this is as 'cutting edge' as it is being promoted as, actually far from it. It actually reminds me of films from the 1970' and 1980's of the role of helicopters in the fleet. Rather 'old school' for my defence 'taste'.

[@badioactivebacon8626]

There is no need to do that due to 820 doing there job via asac. No need to make it autonomous due to how far it can pick up targets. Also before any targets even get close to a carrier, a destroyer will be able to take out any risks/ targets due to the asac’s capability. Also remember that the carrier has a phalax anti air cannon + numerous air craft on the ship not to mention the carrier strike group. And also if you keep up to date with MOD news u will see where technology will be going with autonomous aircraft :)

[@anthonyharris6666]

Things have changed does 820 still do anti submarine. It was 849 that use to do early warning if I remember.

[@robhartley3930]

Yes 849 were the AEW squadron but with the reduced fleet of Merlin's and as it is classified as role equipment it was decided that 820 would have more aircraft attached to cover this role.

[@chrisknight6884]

849 was always AEW since the original Skyraider days. I am disappointed that they have given the task to a 'pinger' squadron. As an ex 849 AEW Seaking person, I was astounded to see the same technology (inflated bag radome and Searchwater radar) being deplyed nearly 40 years after its debut (with 824 D flight in 1982), albeit updated and rotating 90 degrees from the original. It shows however that the concept was sound.

[@mohammadrezakhani2539]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@aniruddhasaha6773]

Oh

[@drinksnapple8997]

When you can't have an E-2D, I guess this is the next best thing. But don't fool yourself, it's a half-ass machine.

[@robd2184]

You’ve operated the systems then to know that ? Or just an opinionated spotter ?

[@chrisknight6884]

@@robd2184 the basic concept for this went from drawing board to operational in 9 weeks back in 1982. Not much has changed, so it must still be a good system. As an operator of the original (824 D flight) I know this to be a fact. Drink Snapple is talking out of his arse.

[@robd2184]

@@chrisknight6884 , thanks , good to hear a qualified view. I’m guessing the actual radar in the bag has moved on a bit in capability

[@TT-hd3zi]

@@robd2184 oh definitely, and the signal processing behind it.

[@michaelsalt4565]

Limited capability, but it's affordable. Ideal option be would Osprey with an AESA radar but that would could billions so unaffordable for the UK.

[@captainbuggernut9565]

The ideal option is a drone. Which is precisely what the navy will have within a decade.

[@michaelsalt4565]

@@captainbuggernut9565 We are a couple of decades away from having a land or carrier based AWACS unmanned air system, but you can dream.

[@robhartley3930]

It is not limited capacity, same system that was used in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Very capable radar, now with the Merlin has greater endurance than the Sea King.

[@michaelsalt4565]

@@robhartley3930 the Iraq war was nearly 20 years ago. For the AWACS role you need an advanced radar and a platform that can fly faster, higher and longer than a helicopter. But we can't afford that, so the Merlin is better than nothing.

[@robhartley3930]

@@michaelsalt4565 actually the Iraq war was 30 years ago, the second one was in 2003. There is no requirement to fly fast when conducting AEW operations, the ability of a long lotiter time is better. The decision to use the Merlin was based on the QE design of no cats and the proven ability of the Merlin and Mk 7 radar. Yes, the possibility of the V-22 was considered but as this aircraft is not part of UK service, the design choices was the most cost effective solution.

[@m3cvfm]

Why do they always start to answer with the wording So?

[@robinmyman]

Gets me every time...it’s all this social dynamic BS the entitled use.

[@benoitnadeau5845]

What's the difference between this and Canadian CH 148 Cyclones?

[@robhartley3930]

The Merlin is a lot bigger than the CH148, the Canadian Cormorant is the EH101

[@janwitts2688]

Hope they are not using the old reciprocal bearing nonsense anymore.. 2 tornados ram each other.. 2 sea king aew ram each other... if your going from point a to point b and the other guy at point b is returning to point a you have to offset by a distance right or left as agreed before hand.. not just follow the autonav into the other guys cockpit.... no more stupid mistakes please

[@stratpac]

To think that there was a bid for a Raytheon Radar that attached to the weapons pylon - obviously rejected on cost. Cheap is not always better!!!

[@goelnuma6527]

Should have got the Osprey (higher ceiling and higher range) with radar instead of this

[@Radictor44]

that heli has a bloody big mole

[@cjtathome]

Those two patches are bigger than the radar dish 🤣

[@robc8892]

This should be a drone

[@ATH_Berkshire]

Not for this generation. Non of the drones in service can lift the weight and stay on station for hours at a time. There is also the issue of the coms/data bandwidth needed to operate this sort of radar by remote control. In 10/20 years this job will likely be done by a drone, but it’s not practical today.

[@VectorGhost]

Royal navy really needs E-2d

[@bernhardwolf6172]

How should they land on a VTOL Carrier? Would be better some type of EV 22 AWACS Osprey

[@cairnsandy1]

wonderfull stuff , sub's ummmh , it's a complicated Battlefield , I'm in NZ , u guys and some girls still thinking about US , rather not be an afterthought , got some plans for US , we have a budget , home is still home to US , here in NZ.

[@andrewpease3688]

Anti ship missile homing beacon

[@matthewbaynham6286]

When they only have one pilot and no co-pilot, is that because of a cost saving?

[@robhartley3930]

It is standard practice for navay AEW aircraft. Both the Sea King marks usually have a 3 man crew, you only need the co-pilot in the front when taking off or landing.

[@chrisknight6884]

@@robhartley3930 the AEW Seakings only ever had one pilot.

[@robhartley3930]

@@chrisknight6884 the second pilot was left hand seat qualified which is different from a fully qualified pilot.

[@donlaight5943]

So the benefits of a large helicopter that folds up for easy storage goes out the window straight away.

[@TT-hd3zi]

How?

[@donlaight5943]

@@TT-hd3zi does the retro fitted sensor dome give you a clue?

[@TT-hd3zi]

@@donlaight5943 it doesn’t take up that much extra space. It’s not like the carriers are lacking space either...

[@donlaight5943]

@@TT-hd3zi yeah I’m not crying down the Merlín it’s a fab machine, just a pity that this system couldn’t be an integral fit. In my day they had the sea king with a similar piece of kit, just seems that they’ve updated that and clipped it on to save the purse strings.

[@TT-hd3zi]

@@donlaight5943 I agree.

[@markwoods4574]

This Merlin Crows nest system has been around for years, obviously it’s been updated but this is outdated we needed a plane or a Helicopter/ plane eg V22 Osprey or the Bell V280 Valor . This Crows nest system just looks like something put on the side by the maintenance crew. Come on MOD get your act together get a proper AWAC for are New Carriers !!!!!!!!

[@Tuhoeterra]

I wonder did the Royal Navy ever consider V22 ospreys to fill this role?

[@michaelsalt4565]

Yes but the cost and risk was prohibitive.

[@rpm1796]

Thinking exactly....Get a massive platform then scrimp on having the best operational capability....(Lots of room).... even a flight of drones. Just heard a report they are reconsidering an EMAL system? Take a look at the new French Carrier design.....40 Rafale...plus E-2 Hawkeyes.

[@chrisknight6884]

No.

[@KenGriffiths]

What radar is in that bag...can't be the old Searchwater?

[@davidhouseman4328]

I believe it's a new searchwater

[@verdebusterAP]

Its repacked Searchwater as the UK opted for upgraded system vice buying a new one which makes zero senses the newer radar would given it advanced capabilites

[@captainbuggernut9565]

Indeed an updated version therein. Still mechanically scanned but perfectly capable. I suspect it will be replaced with an airborne drone. It may even be the reason why they didn't want to spend alot on what is inevitably going to be a short term solution.

[@robhartley3930]

It was originally called Searchwater 2000 when it replaced the radar on the old Mk 2 Sea King with the Mk 7 Sea King. It is still a very capable radar that should have been a quick addition to the Merlin but contracts between three different companies caused massive delays.

[@eagle_rb_mmoomin_418]

@@verdebusterAP Why though. You'd have to rework all the kit, software, all the training etc. It takes years for these projects if it's a clean sheet design for potentially marginal benefits compared to the cost and still not know if the new replacement is going to work without years of trials and integration. Which is fine if you haven't gone and retired the previous system and MUST have the capability by a fixed date or your task group doesn't have organic AEW.

[@danman4633]

Such a mistake, not fitting the carriers with catapults and arresters, resulting in this lash up.